In conjunction with the United Nations initiative International Decade for People of African Descent 2015 – 2024, and the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action of the United Nations, this section is dedicated to participating in efforts and facilitating processes to raise the visibility of people of African descent and promote protection of their human rights as a result of concrete actions taken by the United Nations, States, other international and regional bodies, and civil society.
Some 200 Million people identifying themselves as African descendants living in North, Central and South America constitute some of the poorest and most marginalized groups in the world. International and national research, as well as the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action acknowledges that people of African descent were victims of slavery, the slave trade, colonialism and continue to be victims of their consequences. In addition, research has found that people of African descent still do not have adequate access to quality education, health services, housing, social security and often experience discrimination in access to justice, face alarming rates of violence and racial profiling.
The International Decade for People of African Descent, proclaimed by General Assembly Resolution 68/237 observed from 2015 – 2024 provides a solid framework for the UN, Member States, civil society and other relevant actors to join together with people of African descent and take effective measures for the implementation of the program of activities in the spirit of recognition, justice and development.
Perspectives in Anthropology 